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Quarter-final preview: the top four scorers are all still standing, Haaland faces Kane and France-Morocco replays the Qatar semi-final
The 2026 World Cup enters its decisive week. From 9 to 12 July the four quarter-finals are played: France-Morocco, Spain-Belgium, Norway-England and Argentina-Switzerland. One stat says it all: the tournament's top four scorers —Messi (7), Haaland (7), Mbappé (7) and Kane (6)— are all still alive, and Haaland and Kane meet in the same match. We review the eight teams, how they arrive and what is at stake.
The World Cup ball, edition by edition: from Telstar to Trionda
The 1970 Telstar, with its black-and-white panels designed for television, began a saga that reaches the four-panel Trionda of 2026.
From Willie to Maple, Zayu and Clutch: 60 years of World Cup mascots
The first was World Cup Willie, a lion, in 1966. In 2026 there are three for the first time: a moose, a jaguar and a bald eagle, one per host nation.
Switzerland knock Colombia out on penalties (0-0, 4-3) to set up a quarter-final with Argentina
Not even extra time could break the deadlock. At Vancouver's BC Place, Switzerland and Colombia played out a tight round-of-16 tie (0-0) that was settled in the penalty lottery, where the Swiss held their nerve to win 4-3. Davinson Sánchez and Hernández missed the decisive kicks for a Colombia side that had shaded the game (51% possession, 5 shots), while Xhaka, Amdouni, Itten and Vargas were flawless from twelve yards. Goalkeeper Gregor Kobel, a wall in the shootout, was named MVP. Switzerland will face Argentina in the quarter-finals.
The youngest and oldest goalscorers in World Cup history
Pelé scored at 17 in 1958 and Roger Milla at 42 in 1994. Between those two extremes lies the entire scoring history of the World Cup.
Argentina come from 0-2 down to beat Egypt in stoppage time (3-2) and reach the quarter-finals: Messi leads the storm
Argentina flirted with humiliation and ended up producing a remontada for the ages. At Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the world champions trailed 0-2 to a stubborn Egypt —goals from Yasser Ibrahim (15') and Mostafa Ziko (67'), with Messi missing a penalty on 21'— and turned it around in eleven minutes: Cristian Romero (79'), Messi (83') and Enzo Fernández in the 90+2' sealed a 3-2 win. Argentina dominated throughout (64% possession, 19 shots, 2.90 expected goals) but had to suffer to the very end. Messi, with a goal and an assist, was named MVP. A quarter-final against the winner of Switzerland-Colombia awaits.